Some rights of electricity consumers are protected by laws and regulations. Although the debate over electricity bills has increased recently, the social rights of electricity consumers are actually under protection. However, many people do not know their rights in this regard. Do you know that in certain situations, electricity cannot be cut even if it is not paid, installments may be requested for some users to pay the debt, and you can learn your annual electricity consumption rates? The electricity suppliers comparison site encazip.com compiled the rights of electricity consumers and the assistance that families in need can receive.
While some consumers are looking for ways to reduce their bills with the hikes in electricity, low-income citizens are also looking for how to pay the bulky bills. However, electricity consumers have social rights and these rights are protected by laws and regulations. So, what are the rights of the electricity consumer? What should families in need do to benefit from electricity support? The electricity suppliers comparison site encazip.com searched for the answers to these questions on the minds of consumers. Here are the rights of electricity consumers and the conditions of electricity support provided by the state to those in need:
Consumers dependent on life support devices cannot be powered off.
There are many articles in the Consumer Services Regulation within the scope of protecting and supporting consumers. According to the regulation, electricity distribution companies are obliged to record the retail sales contracts and bilateral agreements of the places of use where these consumers live, provided that consumers who are dependent on electrical dialysis support unit, respirator and similar life support devices and who have supporting documents make a written application. Even if the consumer cannot pay the electricity bill due to this use, the electricity cannot be cut off. If the consumer wishes to make installments for the payment of the debt, the supplier has to make this installment. The installment period is a maximum of four months. The distribution company has to inform the consumer that the health report will expire at least 20 days before the expiry date of the report. The consumer is also obliged to report the valid report to the company within 30 days. If the health report has expired and the consumer has not reported a new report within 30 days, this is notified within 30 working days following the 3-day period granted to the consumer and the consumer's electricity may be cut off in cases regulated by the legislation. In addition, if there will be planned power outages, these consumers should be informed first by the electricity distribution companies through the communication tool determined by the consumer. If there are unplanned power cuts, these consumers have to be informed by the electricity distribution companies about the situation related to the cut.
Electricity of consumers over the age of 65 can be cut only if three bills are not paid in a row.
According to the Consumer Services Regulation, consumers over the age of 65 who are in the residential consumer group with a retail sales contract on their behalf, disabled consumers who submit a health board report that more than 40 percent are disabled, and Martyr Families and Combatant/Invalid Veterans The electricity of the consumers in the consumer group can be cut if the bills belonging to a single usage area are not paid on time for at least three periods during the year without interruption and it is proved that the consumer has been informed by the responsible supply company about the cut-off. If installments are requested for the payment of the debt, the installments must be made by the suppliers. The installment period is determined as a maximum of four months.
Consumer service centers provide 24-hour uninterrupted service
Again, according to the regulation, it is obligatory to establish consumer services centers with adequate equipment and personnel in order to respond to the applications made by the supply companies in charge of the distribution companies regarding the fields of activity, such as failure notifications, illegal and illegal electrical energy usage notifications, objections regarding payment notifications, complaints and similar issues. . This center is established to provide 24-hour uninterrupted service to consumers. Distribution companies and assigned supply companies can purchase services from each other or from the same source regarding call services for consumers. Service procurement within this scope is not subject to any time limitation. It is also mandatory to include an "Objection or Complaint Application" access on the websites of distribution companies and assigned supply companies in a way that can be easily seen and accessed.
Consumer can learn consumption rates twice a year
The supply companies in charge of the distribution company have to inform the consumers about the service they receive. They can distribute tools such as brochures, catalogs or send e-mails or text messages to consumers free of charge. If the consumer requests, the distribution company is obliged to present to the consumer free of charge a document showing the electrical energy consumption of the consumer for the past 24 months, in kWh, for a single time or multiple times, no more than twice a year. In addition, the consumers of the distribution companies are informed about the scheduled interruptions that may occur due to a programmed intervention in the distribution or transmission system, via written, audio or visual media outlets and on the website, as well as by sending a text message or e-mail to the users who request the date, start and end time of the interruption. must notify at least forty-eight hours before the start time.
Monthly support of 206 TL for households with five or more people
Among the social assistance programs of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, there are also electricity assistance programs organized for low-income and needy citizens. Households in need can benefit from the "Electricity Consumption Support" benefiting from the regular social assistance programs within the scope of Laws No. 3294 and 2022 or the disability pension. In order to determine the families in need that can benefit from the support, the income per capita in the household is taken into account. As of 2022, this amount has been determined as 1417,80 TL. If the income of a family of four is below 3.409 TL, the electricity consumption of the households in need is met up to the determined kWh limit. It is not necessary to apply to any institution to benefit from this assistance. It is enough for the right holders to go to the PTT branch with their ID card and electricity bill. Within the scope of this aid program, as of January 1, 2022, 1 kWh (2 TL) per month for households with 75-103 persons, 3 kWh (100 TL) per month for households with 137,33 persons, 4 kWh per month for households with 125 persons (171,67 TL), 5 and Households with more people are provided with cash support in the amount of 150 kWh (206 TL) per month. Payments are made monthly.
Power support assistance to device-dependent patients
The Ministry of Family and Social Services also provides support to people who have to continue their life dependent on the device due to their chronic illness. Another help program related to electricity is “Electricity Consumption Support for Chronic Patients”. With this support, "Electricity Consumption Support", "Uninterrupted Power Supply Support" and "Accumulated Electricity Debt" were provided by the Social Assistance and Solidarity (SYD) Foundations to the households where the patients living under the Law No. 2828, who do not receive home care assistance under the Law No. Aid is given in the form of "support". If the patient is unable to leave the house for health reasons, the patient's representative, guardian or guardian can apply for this support on behalf of the patient. In the absence of these people, applications can also be received from the foundation staff in the patient's household. Identity card, health report and application form obtained from the foundation are required for application. Within the scope of Electricity Consumption Support, up to 3294 TL per month is provided depending on the consumption level of the device. There is no upper limit for "Uninterrupted Power Supply Support" and "Accumulated Electricity Debt Support". The foundation can be made within its financial means. "Electricity Consumption Support" payments are made monthly, "Accumulated Electricity Debt Support" and "Uninterruptible Power Supply Support" are made once.
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